Veteran real estate attorney: Persistence, positive outlook pay off

handout, Sun Sentinel

handout, Sun Sentinel

Cindy Kent, Sun Sentinel

Who: Michael S. Greene, 58, of Plantation

Job: Real estate and construction law partner at Katz Barron since Aug. 11. I was with Boyd & Jenerette, where I was a real estate and construction law partner. Boyd & Jenerette closed its South Florida offices and the move gave me an opportunity to use my skills to help expand Katz Barron's real estate and construction law practice in South Florida in a unique market economy.

Education: J.D., with honors, University of Florida Levin College of Law; bachelor's degree of building construction, with high honors, University of Florida; Order of the Coif, and member of Florida Blue Key.

Professional development: While my undergraduate degree is a "bachelor of building construction," it actually entails all aspects of construction and development; from how to buy land, determining economics of a particular project, and designing, building and marketing it. In addition, my experience in the construction industry has allowed me to work with litigators on complex construction cases and arbitrations. Additionally, my construction background led to my involvement with indoor environmental issues, and I expect those issues to reappear as houses and condos that have been shuttered for some time start to move in the marketplace.

In the community: Advisory board member for the University of Florida's Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies and a member of its conference planning committee, Committee member, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides Walk 2013, Indoor Air Quality Association; Board Member 1997-2006.

On the job

Professional challenge: Having been through four downturns as a real estate and construction attorney, the last was the most difficult to help clients find the "silver lining" and opportunities for turnaround. The opportunities were there, but required much greater effort, as all parties — banks, developers, local government — were all suffering economically.

Biggest challenge facing your industry: Finding a consistent path and real estate economic model for sustained growth. It's starting to appear, but there is a stampede from one market (for example, multi-family) to another once the first is tapped out or becomes too expensive. It's also unclear on the residential development side, whether the home ownership paradigm has been broken for the foreseeable future.

Professional satisfaction: Being part of a client's team and finding creative solutions to problems and difficult transactions, and helping educate young people in the industry.

Advice to young professionals: Have business experience and a more technical degree in the industry you wish to enter and, above all, remain positive and persistent.

Industry wisdom: No matter how dismal the market may be, there are always opportunities for those with the vision to recognize them and the creative thinking to complete them.

On the side

Hobby:Photography, fencing

Travel:Israel on the Miami Jewish Federation Mega-Mission

Reading: World War Z by Max Brooks, 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss